LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 27

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MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION
Rev. Lehenbauer closed his study with what has been
called “Luther’s Prayer for Greater Spirituality” and the
hymn “Church of God, Elect and Glorious.”
Committee 10: Nominations
Chairman William Diekelman provided his committee’s
report of nominees to the offices presently up for election
(TB, pp. 30 and 253−258). The names nominated for Secretary and Vice-President−Finance—Treasurer were read. He
then announced that the names of nominees for the remaining positions will be published at a later time. He also
announced that all floor nominations for those positions affected by Committee 5 actions yet to be acted upon should
be submitted in writing in Room 125 by 2:00 p.m. this day,
after which time nominations will be considered closed.
A delegate requested that a list of the pool of names from
the nominations process be provided. The committee reported
that it had made a decision not to release those names. A motion was introduced that the names be released in a printed
format to those who have a desire to look at them. This motion failed [Y: 382; N: 778]. After further discussion, a motion
to require the committee to post the names of the people who
were nominated also failed [Y: 538; N: 628].
A motion was introduced to postpone the Board of Directors elections until a time after the convention has considered Res. 7-02. This motion carried [Y: 764; N: 415].
Committee 7: Structure, Planning, and Administration
Res. 7-06, “To Clarify District Membership of RSO Employees” (TB, p. 121), was introduced by the committee
after a brief explanation. A motion to end debate terminated discussion [Y: 1,030; N: 152] and Res. 7-06 was
adopted as presented [Y: 1,121; N: 64].
Res. 7-08, “To Appoint Blue Ribbon Committee to Study
and Make Recommendations Regarding Delegate Representation” (TB, pp. 122−123), was introduced by the committee after a brief explanation. The orders of the day were
called prior to discussion of the resolution.
President’s Report, Part III (continued)
Council of Presidents Chairman William Hoesman introduced the other members of the Program Committee of
the Council: John Brunner, William Diekelman, Herbert
Mueller, and Vernon Schindler. He explained that the committee had received the questions that had been submitted
for the President and had organized and combined them for
presentation. The President responded to questions regarding the Ablaze! program; participation in civic events
and inter-faith worship services; concern for souls deluded
by relativism; the illegitimacy of worship of Muslim people;
his description of a healthy LCMS congregation; his working relationship with the Board of Directors of the Synod,
and his thoughts regarding the possibility that the 62nd
convention can make a significant difference in funding the
mission. The President concluded the session by expressing his hope and prayer that the delegates attending the
convention and its activities will get a sense of what this
church body is all about: reaching out with the Gospel of
Christ around the world.

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A motion was made to amend the standing rules to allow
for the call of the question on an amendment alone, to be
dispensed with before the question can be called on an
amendment and the main motion. The motion did not receive the required vote for amending standing rules and
therefore failed [Y: 589; N: 576].
Committee 8: Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute
Resolution
Committee Chairman Ron Meyer called attention to the
membership of his committee as printed on page xiv of the
Convention Workbook, noting that Curtis Schultz, not Randall Golter, is the third District President on the committee. After calling attention to the Objectives of the Synod
in the Constitution, he offered directions for locating the
several sections of Res. 8-01 and noted several additional
changes. After further introduction by committee member
John Brunner, describing the history of the dispute resolution process and its origins, the multiple intentions of the
proposed action, and an explanation of the flow charts provided by the committee (TB, pp. 159−164), Res. 8-01A, “To
Amend Bylaws on Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute
Resolution” (TB, p. 133, line 1, to p. 142, line 27; p. 148, line
37 to p. 164; and pp. 246 to 252), was introduced for consideration by the convention. A motion was introduced to
refer this resolution to the Commission on Structure. During discussion, the orders of the day were called.
Prior to recessing for lunch, the Committee for Convention Nominations announced that it had been made aware
of the possibility of the division of the BHE/CUS Board and
had developed a slate for that purpose. Noting that the
slate had been distributed to the delegates during the session, he added that nominations will nonetheless be received at the time and place announced.
Session 4
July 12, 2004
Opening Devotion
Students from Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, provided the “call to gather” music for the afternoon
session and devotion. Convention Chaplain Loren Kramer
introduced the Rev. Patrick Ferry, President of Concordia
University Wisconsin, who provided the afternoon devotion.
Under the theme, “Hearts of Fire,” he based his words on
Jer. 20:9, noting that this will also serve as the theme for
the next academic year at Concordia. He reminded how
Jeremiah felt at the time he spoke these words. He didn’t
want to do it, to call the people of God to account. At conventions some of the same atmosphere exists. But we cannot hold it in: that which is in our hearts, that which
touches the hearts of others, that which is our greatest and
only hope, our hope in Jesus’ blood and righteousness. This
is the Word that changes hearts and sets them on fire. Although our situation doesn’t compare with Jeremiah’s, the
promises of God are the same. They are our promises also.
After additional special music from the Concordia students, the devotion was closed with words of benediction.
Minutes and Parliamentary Matters
The minutes for the Sunday, July 11, morning and afternoon sessions were presented by the Secretary for approval and were accepted as printed.
2004 Convention Proceedings